CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

For which of the following types of radiation is the weighting factor 1?

1. Alpha particles

2. X or gamma rays

3. Protons

4. Neutrons

The correct answer is: X or gamma rays

The correct choice refers to X rays and gamma rays, which have a radiation weighting factor of 1. This means that their biological effect in terms of radiation dose is considered equivalent to that of an equal dose of gamma radiation. The weighting factor is important in the context of radiation protection and safety as it helps in evaluating the risk of biological damage caused by different types of radiation. X rays and gamma rays are sparsely ionizing forms of radiation, which means they interact less frequently with matter than more strongly ionizing types like alpha particles or neutrons, making their health risks comparatively lower on a per unit dose basis. In contrast, alpha particles, protons, and neutrons have higher radiation weighting factors due to their stronger interactions with biological tissues, which increase their potential for causing damage. This differentiation allows health physicists and radiologists to calculate equivalent doses, ensuring a more accurate assessment of risk from various radiation sources.